Lifting tongs



Feb. 16 1926.

J. MADDEN L'IFTING Tones Filed May 11, 1925 w ATTORNEY.

reamed Feb. 16, 1926.

UNITED STATES JEREMIAH MADDEN, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

rrrrme TONGS.

Application filed Kay 11, 1925. Serial No. 29,354.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J EREMIAII MADDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented a certam new and useful Improvement in Lifting Tongs, of which the following is a spec fication.

My invention relates to improvements in lifting tongs.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide novel lifting tongs adapted for l fting and laying and properly posltiomng building blocks on a wall.

A'further object of my invention, is to provide novel lifting tongs which are simple, cheap, strong, durable and not llable to get out of order and which will enable the operator to la the blocks so as to turn a corner, and w ich willimpart a finish to the mortar joints at both sides of the wall.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of novel means for swlngmg the tongs so as to easily release the blocks from the latter after the blocks have been laid.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates the preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved lifting tongs.

Fi 2 is a side elevation of the same showing the tongs applied to blocks in the wall.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Flg. 2.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts in the different views.

1 and 2 designate respectively two crossed bars of a pair of tongs pivoted to each other by a bolt 3 and connected with each other at their upper ends by suitable flexible lifting means, which may consist of two links 4: connected with a link 5 and respectively pivotally connected with the bars 1 and 2.

The lifting bars 1 and 2 have respectively rigidly transversely fastened to them two clamping members 6, which are parallel with each other, and each of which is provided on its inner side with. a longitudinal rib 7, preferably spaced from the lower edge ,of the member of which it forms a part, and preferably terminating at its ends flush with the ends of the body of said member.

For swinging the bars 1 and 2 so as to move the clamping members 6 away from each other, to release them from the blocks which they have lifted and laid, a lever 8 is pivoted to the bar 1 below the bolt 3, and a link 9 is pivoted to the other bar 2 and to the lever 8;

Any suitable overhead lifting means, not shown, may be attached to the link 5 for lifting the tongs and carrying them to and from the wall that is being laid.

In the operation of the invention a row of blocks 10 are laid upon the ribs 7 with the inner sides of the clamping members 6 against the sides of the blocks. Thetongs and with them the blocks 10 are then lifted through the intermediacy of the link 5, and the tongs with the lifted blocks are carried to a position over the blocks 11 and in alinement therewith, said blocks 11 being the blocks which have already been laid in the wall. The tongs are then lowered to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in which the blocks 10 will rest upon mortar 12, or cement as the case may be, which has been placed upon the upper tier of the blocks 11, and with the inner sides of the members 6 disposed respectively upon the inner and outer sides of the blocks 11, and with the ribs 7 resting upon the upper sides of said tier of blocks. The weight of the blocks 10 will force the mortar or cement 12 against the inner edges of the ribs 7, thereby giving a finish to the outer edges of the layer of mortar or cement 12, while the engagement of the members 6 with the blocks 11 will properly aline the blocks 10 with the blocks in the wall.

To release the tongs from the wall, the lever 8 is swung downwardly thereby, in connection with the link 9 swinging the lifting bars 1 and 2 so as to move the clampin members 6 outwardly from each other, an thereby withdrawing the ribs 7 from between the blocks 10 and 11. The tongs may then be lifted and swung back to the place of loading.

Two pairs of downwardly and outwardly inclined brace bars 13 may be respectively attached to the bars 1 and 2 and also respectively attached to the outer sides of the clamping members 6.

I do not limit my invention to the structure shown and described, as many modifications, within the scope of the appended claims may be made Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. Lifting tongs comprising two crossed bars pivoted to each other, and two parallel cla1n ing members fastened respectively transversely to said bars and provided each on its inner side with a longitudinal rib spaced from the lower edge of the member.

2. Lil'tin; tongs comprising two crossed bars pivoted to each other. two parallel clamping members fastened respectively transversely to said bars and provided each on its inner side with a longitudinal rib spaced from the lower edge of the member,

and means connecting said bars for swinging the latter to move said members away from each other.

3. Lifting tongs comprising two crossed bars pivoted to each other, two parallel clan'iping members fastened respectively transversely to said bars and provided each on its inner side with a longitudinalrib spaced from the lower edge of the member, a lever pivoted to one of said bars, and a link pivoted to the other bar and to said lever. 30

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JEREMIAH MADDEN. 

